Alibaba Health and Chinese Anti-Cancer Association Launch 'Health Smart Doctor' Initiative to Advance Early Cancer Screening and Treatment

Authoritative data indicate that China sees over 4.8 million new cancer cases annually, with the five most prevalent types being lung cancer, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, and breast cancer. Driven by population aging and changes in lifestyle, the overall cancer incidence rate is on the rise. Despite rapid advancements in medical technology, the burden of cancer continues to grow. Implementing early diagnosis and treatment for common cancers, improving early detection rates, and reducing mortality are key measures in cancer prevention and control.

On April 20, at the 30th National Cancer Prevention and Control Publicity Week and the CACA Comprehensive Science Popularization Campaign for China Anti-Cancer Day, AliHealth and the China Anti-Cancer Association (CACA) announced the launch of the “Healthy Smart Doctor” public welfare initiative. Leveraging the vast needs of the patient population, the two parties will utilize CACA’s authoritative expert resources and professional support, combined with AliHealth’s digital patient management models and artificial intelligence technologies, to provide patients with full-process service support in oncology covering prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. The initiative aims to improve early diagnosis rates and cure rates for cancer.

As the oldest, largest, and most influential national-level association in China’s oncology field, and as the initiator of the National Cancer Prevention and Control Publicity Week, the China Anti-Cancer Association has been committed to promoting the construction of a comprehensive cancer management system encompassing “prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.” At the conference,Fan Daiming, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Chairman of the China Anti-Cancer AssociationRegarding this collaboration, it was stated: “Cancer is the leading cause of death affecting public health. To enhance public awareness of cancer prevention and control, we have organized more than 13,000 authoritative experts and over 300 academician participations to compile the Chinese Guidelines for Holistic Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer. Through our partnership with AliHealth, we aim to accelerate broad-based collaboration characterized by cross-sectoral action, in-depth professional engagement, nationwide coverage, population-wide participation, and omni-media dissemination. Furthermore, by leveraging artificial intelligence technology, we seek to transform cancer-related health education materials into intelligent tools that assist physicians, thereby helping to improve early diagnosis rates and cure rates for cancer.”

Shen Difan, CEO of AliHealthIt stated: “AliHealth has long been deeply committed to integrating online and offline medical and health services, providing a rich supply of pharmaceutical and health products to nearly 300 million users, and possessing inherent advantages in reaching and influencing targeted user groups. Through this collaboration with the China Anti-Cancer Association, innovative applications of AliHealth’s artificial intelligence technology will more broadly disseminate professional science popularization knowledge, cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, and abundant physician resources to a larger population in need, thereby providing robust support for tumor patients throughout the entire continuum of ‘prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.’”

Zhang Wen, General Manager of AliHealth Internet HospitalAt the meeting, it was announced that the “Health Smart Doctor” public welfare initiative will gradually carry out the following activities, focusing on patient education in oncology, enhancing physicians’ professional brands, and strengthening primary healthcare, by leveraging the professional resources of the China Anti-Cancer Association and AliHealth’s digital capabilities:

1. Cancer Prevention and Control Science Popularization Activities

Leveraging the China Anti-Cancer Association (CACA) Guidelines for Holistic Integrative Management of Cancer and the AliHealth Intelligent Content Creation Platform, we empower leading experts to become prominent science communicators in their respective fields. This initiative expands the reach of cancer-related patient education and public outreach, enabling broader populations to adopt rational preventive measures in their daily lives.

2. Physician Brand Enhancement Campaign

Jointly release the “Ranking of Renowned Oncologists” to break down “information asymmetry between doctors and patients,” precisely match high-quality medical resources with patient needs, enable renowned specialists to exert greater impact in their areas of expertise, help patients accurately find suitable physicians, and improve the rate of effective treatment.

3. Primary Healthcare Empowerment Initiative

In the field of oncology treatment, the significant urban-rural disparity is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed. By providing academic support to primary care physicians, organizing specialized training in oncology and on the CACA Guidelines, as well as conducting clinical case-based practical training led by discipline heads, we aim to enhance the diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities of primary care physicians in oncology, thereby enabling grassroots populations to access better medical services.

At the meeting,Academician Fan Daiming, Ying Jie'er, Chairman of the Professional Committee on Integrative Rehabilitation of Gastric Tumors, China Anti-Cancer AssociationAlso delivered a popular science lecture on cancer prevention and treatment.

In recent years, although China’s overall five-year cancer survival rate increased from 40.5% in 2015 to 43.7% in 2022, it remains significantly lower than the 69% five-year survival rate observed in developed countries during the same period. Cancer prevention and control still face substantial challenges. Building an ideal cancer prevention and control system requires collaborative efforts from all stakeholders, leveraging their respective strengths.

AliHealth, in partnership with the China Anti-Cancer Association, has launched the “Healthy Smart Medicine” public welfare initiative. This initiative focuses on three key areas: broader patient education and science popularization, more efficient tools for physicians, and the decentralization of high-quality medical resources. It marks a significant step forward in the early screening and treatment of cancer. Leveraging the inclusive, convenient, and innovative nature of the internet, this effort will contribute to advancing the standards of cancer prevention and control.